INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer allowed three first half goals in losing the season opener to Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis, 3-1, Thursday evening in Indianapolis. The Screaming Eagles start the year 0-1-0, while IUPUI begins 2023 1-0-0.
 
On a hot evening in Indianapolis, USI got off to a cold start and lost momentum when sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell (Newburgh, Indiana) was forced to leave the contest due to injury 29 seconds into the match.
 
IUPUI took advantage to build a 3-0 lead by halftime, capitalizing on three chances at the 8:29, 11:44, and 35:41. USI missed a pair of chances to cut into the deficit as a shot by junior forward Robert Schoenstein (Evansville, Indiana) went wide and a blast senior midfielder Nick Faddis (St. Louis, Missouri) was saved.
 
The Eagles' defense rebounded in the second half, holding the Jaguars scoreless in the final 45 minutes and provided USI's lone tally of the contest. USI junior defender Sam Benoist (Foristell, Missouri) put the Eagles on the scoreboard for the first time in 2023 and in the match, heading in a free kick from senior midfielder Marky Lara (Evansville, Indiana) at 76:55 to cut the deficit to 3-1.
 
Overall, IUPUI controlled the match with an 18-8 lead in shots, 11-3 on-goal. The Eagles and the Jaguars were tied, 4-4, in corner kicks.
 
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles open the 2023 home slate Sunday when they host Mercer University for an 11 a.m. contest at Strassweg Field. Mercer started the 2023 campaign with a 6-1 loss to California State University Fullerton at a neutral site in Evansville, Indiana, Thursday afternoon.
 
The USI-Mercer matchup will be the first ever meeting in the history of the two men's soccer programs.